Process and apparatus for conditioning yarn



Oct. 27, 1936. c. F. DULKEN PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING YARN Filed Jan. 21, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 we R 0M 7 C N b z .:e V 4 K m 4 q .& I. 1 5 L aw 2?Q. 343.4 &.R &..u.... ..vw...................................vvvvvv... r. 0 7. .$69 .N. [A m ."........N.N.xfivvvvg....&...N%v.%. 1. 22 .2... v .....2. 22.2.... 2.2.2 2 22 2... .2...

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WITNESS c. F. DULKEN 2,058,576

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING YARN Filed Jan. 21, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1141mm H un M m 27 Z6 25 I 52 25 I A97 WITNESS Y [N VEN TOR WWI/P1. 5 EDI/1. ms/v B Y A TTORNE Y5 Oct. 27, 1936. c. F. DULKEN 2,053,576

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING YARN Filed Jari. 21, 19:50 3 Sheets-Sheet s 5UPFLY TAN K MEASU ING TANK WITNESS 2'4 V IN VENTOR CHXIRL 5 DULKE/V B Y A TTORNE ys Patented Oct. 27, 1936 PATENT OFFICE 2,058,570 raocass .AND APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING YARN Charles F. liuiken, Arlington, N. J.

: Application January 21,

20 Claims.

My invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for conditioning yarn by supplying, to the yarn package, the amount of moisture necessary to preserve its-qualities irrespective of the season, locality and length of storage, and

the varying temperature and humidity to which it may be subjected after leaving the mill. The object of my invention is to provide a processand :apparatus whereby the desired amount of moisture or liquid preservative can be imparted to the yarn without danger of mildewing caused by uneven distribution of such moisture through the yarn package even if held in storage for several months. It is a further object of the invention to distribute uniformly throughout a body of yarn a quantity of liquid suilicient only to moisten the yarn but not to saturate it, such quantity being any desired percentage of the amount required fully to saturate the yarn. By saturate I mean to soak that is, to supply the yarn with all the liquid it can absorb, as is common in ordinary dyeing processes. A more specific object of my invention is to secure a thorough penetration of the moistening solution throughout the yarn package, no matter what the form thereof, so that all portions of such yarn package have the same moisture content, the amount of moisture being insuflicient to saturate the yarn. a

A still further object of my invention is to provide an apparatus in which a number of units for moistening individual spools or packages of yarn are arranged in a manner to facilitate the eflicient impregnation of a large number of such yarn packages in a single operation and with the least amount of individual attention.

In the art of conditioning yarn packages, which consists in spraying a liquid containing antiseptic or preservative ingredients, such, for instance, as may be found on the market under the name "Hygrolit Solution", it has been the practice to sprinkle the liquid over the cones, tubes, and other yarn packages before shipping or storing. When the yarn is wound, as isthe case in numerous mills, upon a core of conical or cylindrical shape or similar tubing, considerable difllculty is encountered in the conditioning process as the so lution does not penetrate the depth of the package when it is applied to the outside of the body of yarn. I have found that the penetration of the liquid when applied from the inside of the cone or cheese (cylindrical tube) is more satisfactorily accomplished and enables the package to become more completely and uniformly impregnated with solution throughout its depth. In conditioning processes as heretofore carried 1930, Serial No. 422.273

(01. zs-ss) out, the solution has been applied to the packages from the outside surface of the yarn package. On cones and cheeses, however, this treatment from the outside failed to yield satisfactory results for the reason that the packages being tightly wound, a thorough and uniform penetration of the units from the outside was diflicult if at all possible. I overcome this dimculty and impart to the yarn package a substantially uniform humidity by means of the apparatus forming the subject-matter of the present invention.

The apparatus is designed to utilize air under pressure to force the moistening solution to the outermost portions of the yarn package, thereby insuring a more uniform distribution of humidity throughout the package. The compressed air, being behind the predetermined quantity of solution, follows such solution, not only up to the yarn package, but through the body of yarn to the outer surface thereof. Furthermore, the apparatus is so designed that each of the yarn packages will have the same moisture content,

regardless of the number of packages mounted and treated in a single apparatus.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional front elevation of one unit of my complete apparatus with the spoo of yarn applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is a front view of a yarn package mounted upon a unit of my apparatus and ready to undergo the moistening treatment,

Fig. 3 is a section along line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a view of the cone-shaped core upon which the yarn is wound to form the spool or package,

. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a unit of my apparatus, by means oi which the solution is forced into the cone superposed upon it and thence into the yarn body,

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the complete apparatus comprising a number of rows of the liquidsupplying units mounted upon a suitable framework of pipin Fig. '7 is a front elevation thereof, Fig. '8 is a diagrammatic view showing the ar rangement of my apparatus in combination with supply tanks, pump, and control devices, and

Fig. 9 'is a detail, partly in section, showing the manner in which the yarn packages, when under pressure, may be retained against upward move-l,

ment upon the several units ofmyapparatusr Referring more particularly to the drawings, in

2 which similar reference characters identify similar parts in the several views, i ll isacore of papiermach or board-like material upon which the yarn is wound in the manner well known in the art to form the usual spool. The surface of this core may, as shown, be provided with corrugations II in order to present a surface upon which the yarn may be more firmly gripped and held from sliding toward its tapered end. It is preferable, moreover, to dip this core, in the process of its manufacture, into wax or similar substance to make it water-proof, so that the moisture will neither soften, nor otherwise affect the same. In accordance with my invention, the core I is provided throughout its surface, and preferably evenly distributed thereover, with apertures i2 of diameters increasing from the base to the apex thereof. Instead of increasing the diameters of the apertures. they obviously may be merely increased in number toward the apex. As the inner surface of the cone is subjected to a fixed degree of fluid pressure as will be described more in detail below, such pressure necessarily decreasing toward the upper end of the core, it will be seen that, in order to force the same quantity of liquid through each of the apertures in the surface of the core, the diameters or number of said apertures must be increased as the pressure is diminished. a

The liquid-supplying unit of my apparatus comprises an imperforate cone-shaped distrlbu-.

tor ll of somewhat smaller size than the core It, the base of such distributor being formed by a reversely tapered cone section l4. The'latter is mounted within a hopper-like element or shell II forming a frustum of a cone and spaced therefrom by a plurality of lugs l6 .held fast in their positions between said base and frustum by screws I i. The cone-shaped distributor l3 terminates at its apex in a spacing element l8 which serves, by means of a plug portion I8, to seal the interior of the distributor, and by its projecting periphery 20, to space the core Ill from said distributor when the former is placed thereon, the same distance that the distributor and core are separated by the periphery of the upper extremity of the frustum I! when the core is made to rest thereon. The distance between the outer edge of the frustum element II and the point of iointure of the distributor l3 and cone section it thus determines the spacing between the outer surface of the liquid-supplying unit and the inner surface of the core.

The frustum element I l termin'ates,at its lower end, in a pipe 2| through which the liquidis forced from the main supply system hereinafter described, the liquid following the course indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, first into the space between the cone section II and the frustum element l5 and thence upwardly, within the annu- In Figs. 6 and 7' of the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated a form of apparatus embodying the-principles of my invention on a commercially practicable scale. It consists of the arrangement of a large number of units of the type hereinabove described upon. a portabl framework of piping in such manner as to facilitate and make more eiiicient the use of my new appafetus in mass production. The units are arranged in rows forming. the arc of a circle with each row at a different level so as to present distinct tiers of units to the operative stationed immediately in front, and centrally, of the apparatus. This arrangement enables a single unskilled operative, usually a girl, to perform the duties connected with the functioning of the apparatus for my improved apparatus dispenses with the necessity of employing skilled labor for the step of conditioning the yarn. I have found that a single operative can conveniently take care of the conditioning of a large number of spools of yarn when the mechanical steps to be performed for that purpose are as simple and 5 and facing the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 6,

and 7.

The framework 23 is built'up out of pipe elements 24, certain of which serve as conduits for supplying the liquid to the several units as well as to form a support therefor. These conduits 24 have attached thereto, at regular intervals along their lengths, the pipes 2| in which the frustum elements I! of each of said units terminate. Each conduit 24 has connected thereto, preferably at a plurality of places along its length, as by welding, an auxiliary pipe .25 which, in turn, is connected, through an intermediate shut-oii valve 26 and suitable fiexible hose 21, to a reservoir 28, having a liquid level controlling device 29, such as a float, and a shut,- oif valve 30, the purpose of which will appear more clearly hereinafter. The auxiliary pipes are also joined by piping 3|, which is conneeted through the valve 32 and hose 33 to a closed measuring tank 40, A pressure pump 34 forces air through conduit 42 into the measuring tank, building up a pressure therein in the space abova'the liquid and forcing the latter out through the pipe 33 to the impregnating units. A main supply tank 35, positioned at any point from the ap aratus, is in communication, through valve 36 and piping 81 with each of the auxiliary tanks 28 and through piping 38 and valve 39, with the measuring tank 40, provided with a graduated scale, or other measuring means ll. I

It is apparent that in the course of the yarn conditioning operation to which my new apparatus is adapted, a definite amountof solution must be fedto each of the units of the apparatus so that the yarn will contain the desired specific amount of moisture. "To accomplish this purpose, I include in my apparatus the auxiliary tanks 28 which serve to bring the solution in each unit of the apparatus to a definite level before the step of forcing the solution into the space between the element It and the core of the spool and thence through the apertures in the latter into the yarn body./'-After'the spools of yarn have been placed in their positions upon the several units, the operative opens valve 36. from the main supply tank (valve 39 being in closed posiarms I and l! to the position shown in dotted open, the solution will rise in tanks 28, and therefore in each of the units in the tier of units controlled thereby, to a level controlled by the float 29. When the liquid has reached such predetermined level, the iloat will cause the valve 30 to close, shutting oil the supply of solution through pipe 31. Valve 36 may then be closed and valve 39 opened to permit the required amount of liquid to flow into the measuringtank 40 as determined 'by the graduated scale"'ll.

When the required amount of solution has been measured off, valve 39 is closed and so are valves 26. tank by pipe 42 is then started, forcing the solution through pipes 33 and 3| into the pipes 24 and thence to the cone units. When the amount .of liquid previously measured and contained also in the frusta l5 and pipes 2i and 24 has been thus forced through the yarn by the compressed air, which is permitted to follow the liquid through the yarn for a short time, the valve 32 is closed and the yarn packages removed. When new, untreated spools of yarn are positioned upon the cone units, the valves 28 are opened whereupon the frusta I 5 till again with liquid,

and it is necessary only to repeat the measuring definite amount is to be forced through the yarn..

The tanks 28 may thus be used without the measuring tank 40 when the amount fed by the former is sufllcient; or the tank 40 may be used without the tanks 28.

Since the forcing of the liquid through the apertures of the core lli requires considerable pressure, and as each core would tend to be displaced upwardly from its seat against the upper periphery of the frustum element it unless some means were provided to hold said core in its position upon the cone unit, I have included, in my apparatus, means for clamping the core tightly against the cone unit during the operation of the apparatus. This clamping means, shown in ehlarged detail in Fig. 9 of the drawings, serves also to seat the core tightly upon the cone unit in 'a leak-proof manner and consists of a tubular standard 43 connected, as by a T H; to the-pipe 24 intermediate two adjacent cone units. Within this standard is mounted a rod 45 threaded at its free end and surrounded by a spring 46 and by a head 41 from which extend arms 4!, l5 terminating in clamping brackets 50, II. A rubber contact pad 52 secures the core against the cone unit when a nut 53 is turned so asto lock the head 41 against the tension of the spring 48. When it is desired to replace the spools "with new ones to be treated with solution as hereinbefore described, the operator merely gives the nut 53 a few turns, releasing the head 41. The spring will then cause the clamping brackets 50 and ii to be raised from the cores Ill, thereby permitting the rotation of lines. in Fig. 6 so that the spools may be lifted from the cone unit. The particular clamping means shown is capable of clamping two adjacent units and is only one of many clamping devices The pump 34 connected to the measuringthat obviously may be employed to accomplish the result sought.

Since the supply tank, measuring tank, and auxiliary mechanism may be conveniently located at some distance from the place where my apparatus may be most efllciently operated, I have provided the framework 23 with casters 55 and thus make the entire apparatus portable, which is of particular advantage in larger mills.

While I have described a particular embodi-L ment oi! my invention, I wish it to be understood that numerous modifications in the construction and design of the apparatus may occur to those skilled in the art and that I deem such modifications within the scope of my invention as claimed in the following claims.

I claim: 7

1. An apparatus for moistening spools of yarn or similar material with a liquid, comprising a portable framework of vertically stepped piping, a plurality of vertically stepped arcuate rows of yarn-impregnating units mounted thereon so as to present distinct tiers of units disposed for easy access to an operative stationed centrally and in front of the apparatus, said units communicating with the interior of said piping, conduits for introducing the liquid into said piping and means for controlling the quantity of liquid supplied to said impregnating units, comprising a supply tank, a measuring tank connected to said piping,

a levelling tank for each/of said rows of units, float valves in said levelling tanks to shut off automatically the supply of solutionto a row of units piping and impregnating units.

2. A device for moistening spools of yarn or similar material with a liquid, comprising an im- 1 perforate, cone-shaped unit for supporting in spaced relation a perforated core having a spool of yarn wound thereon, a reversely tapered cone section forming the base of said unit, a frustum element completely surrounding the same and spaced therefrom so as to discharge a liquid along the face of said unit when a cone is in position thereon, and a conduit leading to said frustum element for supplying said liquid to said space.

3. Apparatus for moistening a spool of yarn with a quantity of liquid insufficient to saturate such yarn, comprising an imperforate coneshaped unit, a perforated core'adapted to support a spool of yarn or similar material and positioned on said unit, means for holding said core and unit in spaced relation, means for receiving a measured quantity of treating liquid and commun eating with the space between said core and unit, and an air compressor connected with said receiving means and operative to force said liquid through the aforementioned space and thence through the perforations in the core into the yarn.

4. In an apparatus for conditioning yarn, the combination of a perforated core upon which said yarnfis wound, an imperforate, supporting unit adapted to receive said core, means for maintaining said core and unit in spaced relation, means for receiving a measured quantity of treating liquid and communicating with the space between said core and unit, and an air compressor connected with said receiving means, and operative to force said liquid through the aforementioned space and thence through the perforations in the core into the yarn.

throughout its surface, an imperforate unit adapted to receive said core, means for spacing said core and imperforate unit from each other to provide a passage for an impregnating solution between the same, and a.conduit arranged to communicate with said passage and adapted to charge a treating fluid thereintc, the interior of said imperforate unit being closed to said conduit, whereby said fluid flows into said passageway along the outer surface of said unit and through said apertures into the yarn.

6. The structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the apertures in said core increase in diameter from the end at which said conduit is connected to the other end.

7. In an apparatusfor moistening a spool of yarn or similar material with preservative solution, the combination of a conical core having a plurality of apertures, an imperforate coneshaped unit for receiving said core, means for spacing the core from said cone-shaped unit to provide a passage for an impregnating solution between the same, a reversely tapered cone section forming the base of said unit, a frustum element completely surrounding said cone section and spaced therefrom, and a conduit leading to said frustum element and adapted to charge a preservative solution thereinto, said, imperforate unit and said cone section being closed to said conduit, whereby such solution may be introduced through the space between the reversely tapered cone section and the frustum element to the passageway between the spool core and the imperforate unit, and thence through the apertures in said core into the yarn body.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein the apertures in said spool core increase in diameter from the end at which said conduit is connected to the other end.

9. In an apparatus for moistening a spool of yarn or similar material with preservative solution, the combination of a conical core. having a plurality of apertures, an imperforate hollow cone-shaped unit for receiving said core, a reversely tapered cone section forming the base of said unit, a frustum element completely surrounding said cone section and spaced therefrom, a spacing element having a plug portion for sealing the interior of said unit at'its upper extremity, and including a peripheral flange, said core being spaced from said unit by said flange and by the outer edge of said frustum element when the core is placed on said unit, and a conduit. leading to said frustum element whereby an impregnating solution may be introduced through the space between said reversely tapered cone element and the frustum element into the spacebetween the imperforate cone-shaped unit and the core when the latter is positioned upon said unit, and thence through the apertures in said core into the yam' body.

10. The structure as set forth in claim '1, wherein the apertures in said core increase in number per unit area from the end at which said conduit is connected to the other end.

*11. The methodof conditioning yarn wound upon a perforated hollow core, which comprises forcing into the body of yarn through the core 'only the measured, predetermined quantity of I tribute said liquid uniformly in the body of the yarn.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11,,where- I in said force comprises a blast of air which is can- I tinned until the'liquid is substantially uniformly -tributing a predetermined percentage of humidity into a package of yarn, which comprises forcing a measured, predeterminedquantity of liquid through said yarn in distributed fashion with the aid of compressed air, and continuing the charge of compressed air after all of said liquid has penetrated the yarn so as to cause a stream of air to follow the liquid through the yarn and promote uniform distribution of the liquid therein.

15. The method of conditioning yarn, which consists in winding the yarn upon a hollow perforated bobbin, and applying to the interior of the bobbin a limited, measured quantity of liquid for producing a predetermined percentage of humidity in the yarn and under a pressure controlled and regulated to effect the limited predetermined moistening of the inner layers of yarn when the liquid appears on the outer surface.

16. The method of conditioning yarn," which consists in winding the yarn upon a hollow perforated bobbin, applying to the interior of the bobbin 9, limited, measured quantity of liquid for producing a predetermined percentage of humidity in the yarn, and applying air at the rear of the liquid under a pressure controlled and regulated to afford a predetermined limited moistening of the inner layers of yarn when the liquid reaches the outer surface.

.17. In apparatus for conditioning yarn, the combination with a manifold adapted for connection with a source of fluid'under pressure, of a plurality of bobbin supports having passages communicating with said manifold, means for retaining hollow perforated bobbins on said supports with their interiors in communication with said passages, means for controlling the passageof liquid to the bobbins, measuringmechanismfor charging into the manifold a limited, measured amount of liquid for producing a predetermined percentage of humidity in the yarn, and mechanism for forcing such limited amount of liquid through the bobbins to eil'ect substantially uniform moistening thereof.

18. The method 'of conditioning yarn, which consists in winding the yarn upon a hollow' perforated bobbin, and applyi to the interior of the bobbin a quantity of liquid insuflicient to saturate the same and under a pressure controlled and regulated to effect a limited moistening of the inner layers of. yarn when the liquid appears on the outer surface.

19. The method of conditioning yarn, which consists in winding the yarn upon a hollow perforated bobbin, applying liquid to the-interior of the bobbin under a pressure controlled and regulated to' aiford a predetermined condition in the inner layers of yarn when the liquid appears on the outer surface, and applying air under pressure at the rear of the liquid-and continuing the blast of air until an amount of liquid substantially less than suiiicient to saturate the yarn is dis- 2,058,570 r i I 5 tributed from the inner to the outer layers of yarn.

20. In apparatus for treatment of yarn, the combination with a manifold adapted for connection with a source of fluid under pressure, of a plurality of bobbin supports having passages communicating with said manifold, means for retainwith their interiors in communication with said passages, means for unveiling the passage of liquid to the bobbins, measuring mechanism for charging into the manifold an amount of liquid insuflicient to saturate the bobbins, and mechanism for effecting penetration of the bobbins by such limited amount of liquid.

ing hollow perforated bobbins on said supports CHARLES F. DULKEN.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,058,576. October 27, 1936.

CHARLES" F. DULKEN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, first column, line 39, claim 8, for the claim reference numeral "5" read 7; and

pages 4 and 5, strike out claims l8, l9 and 20; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with. these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of January, A. D. 1957.

Henry Van Arsdaio (Seal) Acting Commissioner of at nt! 2,058,570 r i I 5 tributed from the inner to the outer layers of yarn.

20. In apparatus for treatment of yarn, the combination with a manifold adapted for connection with a source of fluid under pressure, of a plurality of bobbin supports having passages communicating with said manifold, means for retainwith their interiors in communication with said passages, means for unveiling the passage of liquid to the bobbins, measuring mechanism for charging into the manifold an amount of liquid insuflicient to saturate the bobbins, and mechanism for effecting penetration of the bobbins by such limited amount of liquid.

ing hollow perforated bobbins on said supports CHARLES F. DULKEN.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,058,576. October 27, 1936.

CHARLES" F. DULKEN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, first column, line 39, claim 8, for the claim reference numeral "5" read 7; and

pages 4 and 5, strike out claims l8, l9 and 20; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with. these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of January, A. D. 1957.

Henry Van Arsdaio (Seal) Acting Commissioner of at nt! 

